Sage’s Army plans balloon release at Penn-Trafford on Drug Overdose Awareness Day

Sage’s Army will release balloons at Penn-Trafford High School this week in honor of Westmoreland County residents who have died from a drug overdose.

The balloons will be released at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday — Drug Overdose Awareness Day — at Warrior Stadium in between Penn-Trafford’s junior varsity and varsity boy’s soccer games.

Community members who have lost a loved one to a drug overdose can register to sponsor a balloon to be released in their memory.

Sage’s Army will also distribute Narcan, a drug that reverses an opioid overdose.

The not-for-profit organization was founded by Carmen Capozzi in 2012 following the overdose death of his son, Sage Capozzi. It supports individuals and families impacted by drug addiction and substance use.

From Jan. 1 to July 31, there were 45 confirmed drug overdose deaths in Westmoreland County, said event coordinator Ronda Wagner. An additional 15 deaths are pending autopsy reports.

“I can’t even believe Westmoreland County’s (numbers) are so high,” Wagner said.

She estimated about 60 balloons will be released at the event. Although donations to Sage’s Army will be accepted at the event, Wagner said the goal is to raise awareness and remove judgment against families who have experienced a drug overdose death.

“The more we destigmatize it, the more people are comfortable coming in (to seek help),” said Wagner, who runs a family support group at Sage’s Army.

“The more you shame and guilt people,” Wagner said, “they’re just going to want to stay hidden.”